Drone warning at Newcastle Airport as bosses test detection system

Bosses at Newcastle International Airport have warned passengers and members of the public not to be alarmed if they see drones flying around the facility today.

Airport chiefs say they are testing drone detection systems and advised passengers and passersby they may see a drone in flight in the area.

It comes after drone sightings caused chaos and days of delays at Gatwick Airport in the run up to Christmas, and further disruption at Heathrow earlier this week.

The statement issued by Newcastle Airport reads: "Passengers and members of the public are advised that we are flying a drone at the airport today, this is to test our drone detection systems."

Airports around the country have said they are stepping up measures to stop drones grounding flights after the latest incident at Heathrow.

Departures at the west London hub were suspended for around an hour on Tuesday night after a drone was spotted.

This came three weeks after drone sightings caused chaos at Gatwick in the run-up to Christmas, affecting the travel plans of 140,000 passengers as the runway was closed.

Police have appealed for information to help them trace the owner and operator of the Heathrow drone, and said "the criminal investigation continues".

Aviation minister Baroness Sugg and security minister Ben Wallace will hold a meeting with airport bosses on Thursday to discuss plans to crack down on the problem of dronemisuse near airports.

The Department for Transport said the Government is working with the aviation industry to explore technical solutions.

A spokesman for the Airport Operators Association, a trade association representing UK airports, said: "In light of events at Gatwick and Heathrow, airports are working together, as well as with Government and the police, to see what lessons can be learnt.

"This includes looking at what technology is available and what deterrent action, such as increased police patrols, can be taken."

The group is reviewing whether it wants the Government to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory fordrones to be fitted with geo-fencing technology to stop them entering no-fly zones, such as airports.